Feinstein on Petraeus resignation: 'Heartbreak'

11/18/12 11:28 AM EST

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) struck a sympathetic tone on Sunday toward former CIA Director David Petraeus, who abruptly resigned earlier this month after admitting to an extramarital affair.

“For me personally, this is a heartbreak,” Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I respect David Petraeus, I respect his 37 years of service to our country, I respect his command ability, I respect the great intellect that he has.”

Feinstein noted the “difficult” process that those in the military have in transitioning back to civilian life, though she said that was not an excuse for having an affair. Petraeus was the top U.S. commander in Iraq and Afghanistan before he became a civilian as the head of the CIA.

“Our tours are long, they are multiple. Whether you’re a private or a four-star, coming back into civilian society is difficult,” Feinstein said. “Here’s a man – you see the medals he has, you see the stars, one day, he takes all of that off.

“It is a major adjustment,” Feinstein continued. “I think we need to look at this transition of people, we need to look at our tours now.”